Toronto Starter Pack

Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) is the main hub — Canada's busiest airport.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on the islands handles short-haul flights, minutes from downtown.

UP Express train: Pearson to Union Station downtown in about 25 minutes.

TTC bus and subway also connect Pearson to the city, slower but cheaper than UP Express.

Uber, Lyft and licensed taxis all serve both airports.

Driving from the US: major crossings at Niagara Falls and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel/bridge.

Visa-exempt travelers flying in need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding.

Other nationalities need a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) through IRCC.

Toronto is Canada's largest arrival city for newcomers, with extensive settlement services for permanent residents.

Entering by land from the US generally needs only a valid passport, not an eTA.

Visitors are typically admitted for up to 6 months, set by the border officer.

Canada has no dedicated digital nomad visa — check current IRCC guidance before working remotely while visiting.

Ontario runs its own Provincial Nominee Program alongside federal immigration streams.

Four distinct seasons, moderated somewhat by Lake Ontario.

Winter (Dec-Mar): cold, typically -5°C to -10°C (14-23°F), regular snow and occasional ice storms.

Summer (Jun-Aug): warm and humid, 25-30°C (77-86°F), the lake makes it feel muggier than the temperature suggests.

Spring and fall are mild and generally the most pleasant times to explore the city outdoors.

Tip: invest in a proper winter coat — Toronto winters are longer than many newcomers expect.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

Health811 — Ontario's free 24/7 non-emergency health advice line

The City of Toronto runs a non-emergency municipal info line — check toronto.ca for the current number.

Save 911 and Health811 to your phone before you need them.

TTC: subway (4 lines), streetcars and buses cover most of the city.

GO Transit runs regional rail and buses to the wider Greater Toronto Area.

PRESTO card works across TTC, GO Transit and several neighboring transit systems.

Downtown and midtown are genuinely walkable; the outer suburbs lean car-dependent.

Uber, Lyft and Toronto's many licensed taxis are widely available.

Bike Share Toronto has stations across downtown and the east/west waterfront.

Major carriers: Rogers, Bell, Telus, plus budget sub-brands (Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, Freedom Mobile).

Canadian mobile plans are pricier than in the US or most of Europe — compare providers before signing up.

Prepaid SIMs are available at carrier stores, malls and some convenience stores.

Home internet: Rogers and Bell dominate most neighborhoods, with Teksavvy and others as resellers.

Toronto has a large and active coworking scene, from big chains to independent spaces.

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).

All five major Canadian banks — RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC — are headquartered here and easy to find.

Opening an account as a newcomer usually needs your passport, immigration document, and proof of address.

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work legally — apply through Service Canada as soon as you arrive.

Tap and contactless payment is the norm everywhere, including transit.

Wise and Revolut are both popular for moving money internationally.

Kensington Market: eclectic, walkable, market stalls and independent shops.

The Annex: near the University of Toronto, leafy streets, popular with students and academics.

Liberty Village: newer condos, popular with young professionals, close to downtown.

Leslieville: family-friendly, cafes and boutiques, east side of downtown.

North York and Scarborough: more affordable, still well connected by subway.

Rent is among the highest in Canada — budget carefully and compare neighborhoods before committing.

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world — the food scene reflects it directly.

Kensington Market and Chinatown sit side by side for a huge range of affordable options.

The PATH is a massive underground network of shops and restaurants connecting downtown buildings.

St. Lawrence Market is a long-running food market worth a visit on its own.

Coffee culture is strong, from big chains to a dense independent scene.

The Toronto Islands are a short ferry ride away — beaches, bike paths and skyline views.

High Park is the city's largest, with trails, a zoo and cherry blossoms each spring.

The waterfront trail runs for kilometers along Lake Ontario.

Niagara Falls is about 1.5 hours away and a classic day trip.

Muskoka cottage country is a popular summer weekend escape, roughly 2 hours north.

CN Tower for skyline views and the EdgeWalk if you want the adrenaline version.

The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario are both world-class.

Distillery District: pedestrian-only cobblestone area with shops, galleries and restaurants.

Toronto has a packed festival calendar, including TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) every September.

Maple Leafs (NHL), Raptors (NBA), Blue Jays (MLB) and Toronto FC (MLS) all play downtown.

Running and cycling along the waterfront trail is a local favorite.

Gyms and boutique fitness studios are everywhere, especially downtown.

Skating outdoors at Nathan Phillips Square is a winter tradition.

Cost of living, especially rent, is among the highest in Canada — plan your budget before you commit to a lease.

Winters are longer than the "four seasons" description suggests — good boots and a real coat matter.

Public transit covers downtown well; check commute times before choosing a suburb.

Tipping norms follow the rest of Canada: roughly 15-20% at restaurants.

Toronto is genuinely diverse — you'll find community groups and services in dozens of languages.